Recently in Transportation Category
(from Rob Grant) Dear Members of the CRT Council of Advisors:
The Recreational Trails Program is in very deep trouble. The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has approved transportation reauthorization legislation known as MAP-21 that would effectively eliminate the RTP by stripping the program of its dedicated funding.
But all hope is not lost.
CRT and its member organizations have been working to identify key Champions in the Senate with the aim of having an amendment to restore dedicated funding for the RTP added to the bill before it is considered by the full Senate.
Reaching this goal will not be possible without your help.
Now is the time for all organizations and individuals who support RTP to tell their Senators to protect dedicated funding for this absolutely essential program.
The key messages are simple:
· Unless the bill is changed, MAP-21 will effectively eliminate the Recreational Trails Program; and
· Please amend MAP-21 to include dedicated funding for RTP.
Other helpful messages include:
· For the last two decades, RTP has received a portion of the gas taxes paid by users of off-highway motorized vehicles to fund trail building, maintenance and other trail-related projects. More than 13,000 projects have been funded across the country for all kinds of trail uses. This is a very successful program.
· At its current level of annual funding - $85 million - RTP receives less than 42% of the Federal Highway Administration's conservative estimate of the federal gas taxes paid by America's nonhighway recreationists. The Senate bill would reduce that percentage to zero and represents a substantial new tax on motorized recreation enthusiasts.
· The return of gas taxes to trail users through the RTP is in keeping with the user-pay, user-benefit philosophy of the Highway Trust Fund. Ending dedicated funding for RTP takes these gas taxes away from the people who pay them. Ending dedicated funding for RTP is bad public policy and just plain wrong.
· The RTP is the foundation of state trail programs. If the RTP loses its dedicated funding, organized trail planning and development will simply vanish in many areas of the country.
Now is the time to act. Write, email or call your two Senators. Here's a link if you need it: http://www.senate.gov/. Make sure your entire grassroots organization is engaged as well.
We need to show the United States Senate just how many Americans are committed to the Recreational Trails Program. If we don't act, the very backbone of trails in America may be forever lost.
Please be sure to send us a copy of your message. Thank you for your help.
Marianne Fowler, Co-Chair, Coalition for Recreational Trails
Derrick Crandall, Co-Chair, Coalition for Recreational Trails
1225 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 682-9530 Fax (202) 682-9529
cahern@funoutdoors.com
The Recreational Trails Program is in very deep trouble. The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has approved transportation reauthorization legislation known as MAP-21 that would effectively eliminate the RTP by stripping the program of its dedicated funding.
But all hope is not lost.
CRT and its member organizations have been working to identify key Champions in the Senate with the aim of having an amendment to restore dedicated funding for the RTP added to the bill before it is considered by the full Senate.
Reaching this goal will not be possible without your help.
Now is the time for all organizations and individuals who support RTP to tell their Senators to protect dedicated funding for this absolutely essential program.
The key messages are simple:
· Unless the bill is changed, MAP-21 will effectively eliminate the Recreational Trails Program; and
· Please amend MAP-21 to include dedicated funding for RTP.
Other helpful messages include:
· For the last two decades, RTP has received a portion of the gas taxes paid by users of off-highway motorized vehicles to fund trail building, maintenance and other trail-related projects. More than 13,000 projects have been funded across the country for all kinds of trail uses. This is a very successful program.
· At its current level of annual funding - $85 million - RTP receives less than 42% of the Federal Highway Administration's conservative estimate of the federal gas taxes paid by America's nonhighway recreationists. The Senate bill would reduce that percentage to zero and represents a substantial new tax on motorized recreation enthusiasts.
· The return of gas taxes to trail users through the RTP is in keeping with the user-pay, user-benefit philosophy of the Highway Trust Fund. Ending dedicated funding for RTP takes these gas taxes away from the people who pay them. Ending dedicated funding for RTP is bad public policy and just plain wrong.
· The RTP is the foundation of state trail programs. If the RTP loses its dedicated funding, organized trail planning and development will simply vanish in many areas of the country.
Now is the time to act. Write, email or call your two Senators. Here's a link if you need it: http://www.senate.gov/. Make sure your entire grassroots organization is engaged as well.
We need to show the United States Senate just how many Americans are committed to the Recreational Trails Program. If we don't act, the very backbone of trails in America may be forever lost.
Please be sure to send us a copy of your message. Thank you for your help.
Marianne Fowler, Co-Chair, Coalition for Recreational Trails
Derrick Crandall, Co-Chair, Coalition for Recreational Trails
1225 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 450
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 682-9530 Fax (202) 682-9529
cahern@funoutdoors.com
Our annual photo contest is another way to publicize your designated National Recreation Trail. Please see details at: http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/photocon.html
American Trails sponsors the annual contest for photographs of National Recreation Trails and provides awards in several categories. The DEADLINE for entries is December 31, 2011.
Photos must be in JPEG or TIFF format. Submit via our website at: http://atfiles.org/ftp/web/ATUpload.html or email to NRT@AmericanTrails.org. Check the online searchable database for a list of NRTs in your state and more information on individual trails.
Entries will be displayed on the NRT website. See the 2010 galleries at:
http://www.americantrails.org/photoGalleries/photocontest2010/index.html
ALABAMA'S NATIONAL RECREATION TRAILS AS OF JULY 2011
Alabama Scenic River Trail
Bartram Trail
Chattahoochee Valley Railroad (CVRR) Trail - North
Chattahoochee Valley Railroad (CVRR) Trail - South
Chewacla State Park Trail System
Chief Ladiga Trail (Jacksonville Section)
Chief Ladiga Trail (Piedmont Section)
Citronelle Walking Trail
City of Foley Antique Rose Trail
DeSoto State Park Trail System
Eastern Shore Trail
Florala-Lake Jackson Scenic Trail
George Ward Park Exercise
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
Lake Guntersville State Park Trail System
Lake Lurleen State Park Trail System
Limestone County Canoe & Kayak Trail
Minooka Park Trail System
Montevallo Greenway Trail
Muscle Shoals
Pinhoti
Queen City Park Trail
Richard Martin Trail
Smith Lake Park Walking/Bike Trails
Sportsman Lake Trails
Stony Lonesome OHV Park Trail System
Sunset Drive Trail
Swan Creek Greenway Trail
Talladega-Lincoln Outdoor Park & Trails (T.O.P.TR
Tannehill Tramway Trail
The Larry and Ronna Dykes Trail
Veterans Park Trail
Village Pointe Preserve Park Trail System
Wind Creek State Park Trail System
Yoholo-Micco, The Creek Indian Trail
American Trails sponsors the annual contest for photographs of National Recreation Trails and provides awards in several categories. The DEADLINE for entries is December 31, 2011.
Photos must be in JPEG or TIFF format. Submit via our website at: http://atfiles.org/ftp/web/ATUpload.html or email to NRT@AmericanTrails.org. Check the online searchable database for a list of NRTs in your state and more information on individual trails.
Entries will be displayed on the NRT website. See the 2010 galleries at:
http://www.americantrails.org/photoGalleries/photocontest2010/index.html
ALABAMA'S NATIONAL RECREATION TRAILS AS OF JULY 2011
Alabama Scenic River Trail
Bartram Trail
Chattahoochee Valley Railroad (CVRR) Trail - North
Chattahoochee Valley Railroad (CVRR) Trail - South
Chewacla State Park Trail System
Chief Ladiga Trail (Jacksonville Section)
Chief Ladiga Trail (Piedmont Section)
Citronelle Walking Trail
City of Foley Antique Rose Trail
DeSoto State Park Trail System
Eastern Shore Trail
Florala-Lake Jackson Scenic Trail
George Ward Park Exercise
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail
Lake Guntersville State Park Trail System
Lake Lurleen State Park Trail System
Limestone County Canoe & Kayak Trail
Minooka Park Trail System
Montevallo Greenway Trail
Muscle Shoals
Pinhoti
Queen City Park Trail
Richard Martin Trail
Smith Lake Park Walking/Bike Trails
Sportsman Lake Trails
Stony Lonesome OHV Park Trail System
Sunset Drive Trail
Swan Creek Greenway Trail
Talladega-Lincoln Outdoor Park & Trails (T.O.P.TR
Tannehill Tramway Trail
The Larry and Ronna Dykes Trail
Veterans Park Trail
Village Pointe Preserve Park Trail System
Wind Creek State Park Trail System
Yoholo-Micco, The Creek Indian Trail
The University of Michigan's Graham Institute plans to fund at least five planning grants worth $20,000 each. The grants will focus on analyzing transportation policies, interventions, innovations, and partnerships that best enable urban areas to create more livable communities.
Letter of Intent Due Date: October 11, 2011
Grant Proposal Due Date: October 31, 2011
More information:
http://www.graham.umich.edu/ia/livable-communities.php
Letter of Intent Due Date: October 11, 2011
Grant Proposal Due Date: October 31, 2011
More information:
http://www.graham.umich.edu/ia/livable-communities.php
The National Center for Safe Routes to School is now accepting applications for 25 mini-grants of $1,000 each. Funds can be used to help start or sustain a safe walking and bicycling program, or to develop new ideas that explore the range of benefits of safe walking and bicycling to schools.
Applications Due: October 19, 2011
Learn more: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/funding-portal/mini-grants/call-for-applications
Applications Due: October 19, 2011
Learn more: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/funding-portal/mini-grants/call-for-applications
Key Congressional leaders are attacking Safe Routes to School, Transportation Enhancements and Recreational trails and are taking steps to cut off dedicated federal funding for bicycling and walking. We need every single person who simply wants safe options to walk or bicycle to contact their Senators and Representative today!
House Transportation Chairman John Mica (R-FL) announced today that his transportation bill will eliminate dedicated funding for bicycling and walking, including Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program, and discourage states from choosing to spend their dollars on these activities that are "not in the federal interest." Chairman Mica's statement that these programs remain "eligible" for funding is worthless; without dedicated funding for these three programs, they are effectively eliminated.
Things on the Senate side are not much better. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the lead Republican negotiator on the transportation bill, declared that one of his TOP THREE priorities for the transportation bill is to eliminate 'frivolous spending for bike trails.' This is in direct conflict with Senator Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) commitment to maintain dedicated funding for biking and walking. However, the Senate is working towards a bi-partisan solution, and Senator Inhofe's comments mean funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs is at risk of total elimination.
Help protect Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails. Contact your Members of Congress , and tell them to reach out to Senators Inhofe, Boxer, and Congressman Mica to urge them to continue dedicated funding for these important bicycling and walking programs.
Need some good facts to bolster your argument? Read on:
Not in the federal interest? Biking and walking make up 12 percent of all trips in the US - even as funding for biking and walking projects only accounts for 1.5% of the federal transportation budget. That is more than 4 billion bicycle trips and 40 billion walking trips a year, including trips to work, school, shopping and for recreation and tourism.
Frivolous? Two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths are on federally funded highways. One-third of children's traffic deaths happen when children are walking or bicycling and are struck by cars. Bicycling and walking programs build sidewalks, crosswalks and bikeways--improving accessibility and saving lives.
The Facts
Biking and walking are important forms of transportation, and funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements is a very efficient use of federal transportation dollars. Portland, OR built 300 miles of bike lanes and trails for the cost of one mile of highway.
These projects create jobs and build local economies. Building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure creates 46% more jobs than building road-only projects per million dollars spent. Cities that invest in bicycle and pedestrian projects turn downtowns into destinations, and capitalize on increased business activity.
Eliminating the 1.5% of transportation funding spent on bike/ped would have no meaningful impact on the federal budget, but instead, decreases transportation options for American families in a time of rising gas prices and an uncertain economy.
Why Act Now? Both the House and Senate long-term transportation bills are being written as we speak. We still have a chance of influencing the outcomes. Let's make sure that funding for biking and walking programs don't disappear for many years.
We need every Senator to tell Senators Boxer and Inhofe that bicycling and walking are vital parts of our transportation system, and that there must be dedicated funding for sidewalks, bike lanes and trails to ensure that bicyclists and pedestrians are safe. And we need every Representative in the House to tell Chairman Mica the same.
Please contact your Senators and Representatives TODAY to tell them that bicycling and walking are a critical part of a safe and equitable transportation system. Ask them to tell Representative Mica and Senators Boxer and Inhofe that a federal transportation bill must continue dedicated funding for bicycling and walking.
House Transportation Chairman John Mica (R-FL) announced today that his transportation bill will eliminate dedicated funding for bicycling and walking, including Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and the Recreational Trails Program, and discourage states from choosing to spend their dollars on these activities that are "not in the federal interest." Chairman Mica's statement that these programs remain "eligible" for funding is worthless; without dedicated funding for these three programs, they are effectively eliminated.
Things on the Senate side are not much better. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the lead Republican negotiator on the transportation bill, declared that one of his TOP THREE priorities for the transportation bill is to eliminate 'frivolous spending for bike trails.' This is in direct conflict with Senator Barbara Boxer's (D-CA) commitment to maintain dedicated funding for biking and walking. However, the Senate is working towards a bi-partisan solution, and Senator Inhofe's comments mean funding for bicycle and pedestrian programs is at risk of total elimination.
Help protect Transportation Enhancements, Safe Routes to School and Recreational Trails. Contact your Members of Congress , and tell them to reach out to Senators Inhofe, Boxer, and Congressman Mica to urge them to continue dedicated funding for these important bicycling and walking programs.
Need some good facts to bolster your argument? Read on:
Not in the federal interest? Biking and walking make up 12 percent of all trips in the US - even as funding for biking and walking projects only accounts for 1.5% of the federal transportation budget. That is more than 4 billion bicycle trips and 40 billion walking trips a year, including trips to work, school, shopping and for recreation and tourism.
Frivolous? Two-thirds of all pedestrian deaths are on federally funded highways. One-third of children's traffic deaths happen when children are walking or bicycling and are struck by cars. Bicycling and walking programs build sidewalks, crosswalks and bikeways--improving accessibility and saving lives.
The Facts
Biking and walking are important forms of transportation, and funding for bicycle and pedestrian improvements is a very efficient use of federal transportation dollars. Portland, OR built 300 miles of bike lanes and trails for the cost of one mile of highway.
These projects create jobs and build local economies. Building bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure creates 46% more jobs than building road-only projects per million dollars spent. Cities that invest in bicycle and pedestrian projects turn downtowns into destinations, and capitalize on increased business activity.
Eliminating the 1.5% of transportation funding spent on bike/ped would have no meaningful impact on the federal budget, but instead, decreases transportation options for American families in a time of rising gas prices and an uncertain economy.
Why Act Now? Both the House and Senate long-term transportation bills are being written as we speak. We still have a chance of influencing the outcomes. Let's make sure that funding for biking and walking programs don't disappear for many years.
We need every Senator to tell Senators Boxer and Inhofe that bicycling and walking are vital parts of our transportation system, and that there must be dedicated funding for sidewalks, bike lanes and trails to ensure that bicyclists and pedestrians are safe. And we need every Representative in the House to tell Chairman Mica the same.
Please contact your Senators and Representatives TODAY to tell them that bicycling and walking are a critical part of a safe and equitable transportation system. Ask them to tell Representative Mica and Senators Boxer and Inhofe that a federal transportation bill must continue dedicated funding for bicycling and walking.
ContextSensitiveSolutions.org has posted to its website the slide
presentation from its April 18, 2011, webinar on the benefits and
implementation of urban forestry in transportation. The webinar focused
on the environmental, health, social, and safety benefits of urban
forestry within the right-of-way. The webinar also addressed methods for
enhancing urban forestry in a wide range of contexts, including
creating urban forestry planting and management systems, and discussed
research, case studies, and projects. For more information, link to the presentation.
The International Transport Forum has published a discussion paper on the economic role of transportation policy in fostering social equality. The paper argues that transportation planning, economic evaluation methods, and governance mechanisms should do a better job of taking into account the potential benefits of transport policy to reduce income disparities and improve living standards. For more information, link to Economic Perspectives on Transport and Equality. (5-13-11)
To kick off National Transportation Week yesterday, Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari joined a White House "Champions of Change" conversation about the pressing need to develop tomorrow's transportation professionals.
Deputy Secretary John Porcari
Transportation is a great place to start when creating jobs. Across all modes of transportation--from roads, bridges, and buses to airports, trains, and maritime--America will always need workers to maintain our transportation networks and build new ways to connect goods and people.
But it's not enough to just create new jobs. With 50 percent of the current transportation workforce eligible for retirement in 2013, and significant technological changes affecting all modes of transportation, we must educate the next generation of workers.
http://fastlane.dot.gov/2011/05/ntw-wh-roundtable.html#more
A mixed-use activity center accessible to pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and motorists.
On June 16, 2009, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Shaun Donovan, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson announced the historic interagency Partnership for Sustainable Communities to better coordinate Federal policies and establish a national Livability Initiative. The Partnership will help ensure that communities in rural, suburban and urban areas are afforded better access to quality housing, more transportation options, a cleaner environment and ultimately lower costs in transportation.
Specifically, the Partnership has established six Livability Principles, which will serve as the foundation for implementing Federally funded projects and programs.
1. Provide more transportation choices
2. Promote equitable, affordable housing
3. Enhance economic competitiveness
4. Support existing communities
5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment
6. Value communities and neighborhoods
(from the National Scenic Byways Resource Center) read the full article here...
From The Governors Highway Safety Association
- Turn it off. Turn your phone off or switch to silent mode before you get in the car.
- Spread the word. Set up a special message to tell callers that you are driving and you'll get back to them as soon as possible, or sign up for a service that offers this.
- Pull over. If you need to make a call, pull over to a safe area first.
- Use your passengers. Ask a passenger to make the call for you.
- X the Text. Don't ever text and drive, surf the Web or read your e-mail while driving. It is dangerous and against the law in most States.
- Know the law. Familiarize yourself with State and local laws before you get in the car. Some States and localities prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones. GHSA offers a handy chart of State laws on its website:www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html.
- Prepare. Review maps and directions before you start to drive. If you need help when you are on the road, ask a passenger to help or pull over to a safe location to review the map/directions again.
- Secure your pets. Pets can be a big distraction in the car. Always secure your pets properly before you start to drive.
- Keep the kids safe. Pull over to a safe location to address situations with your children in the car.
- Focus on the task at hand. Refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, reading and any other activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road.
Download a pdf version at http://www.ghsa.org/html/issues/pdf/tips.pdf
Visit the website at http://www.statehighwaysafety.org/html/issues/dist_driving_tips.html
The National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC) has
published the 2010 report, "Transportation Enhancements: Summary of
Nationwide Spending as of Fiscal Year 2009." The full-color, 40-page
report is available as a free PDF download at: http://www.enhancements.org.
What are the country's transportation funding priorities? What are transportation enhancements? How does your State compare with other States when it comes to spending Federal Transportation Enhancements program funds? This report provides a view into this popular Federal transportation funding program for transparency and valuable comparisons.
What are the country's transportation funding priorities? What are transportation enhancements? How does your State compare with other States when it comes to spending Federal Transportation Enhancements program funds? This report provides a view into this popular Federal transportation funding program for transparency and valuable comparisons.
NTEC has made significant database improvements over the past year. The newly issued report is a complete update. It features a new explanation of the Federal transportation financing lifecycle, a funding report on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and more.
NTEC is a valuable resource with tools and a Web-accessible database on national and State-by-State funding and expenditures. NTEC makes the Transportation Enhancements Program an accountable and transparent transportation funding program.
Visit www.enhancements.org to access numerous tools and publications.
For more information, or for technical assistance with respect to NTEC resources, contact Tracy Hadden Loh, NTEC Program Coordinator, 2121 Ward Ct NW, 5th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20037; or call (202) 974-5155 or e-mail: tracy@enhancements.org.
Hosted by the Birmingham Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPCGB)
Representatives from the Governor's Office on Disability (GOOD) and the Federal Highway Administration (Alabama Division Office) will conduct a full day interactive workshop providing an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and associated policies, rules and design guidelines for street crossings, sidewalks and shared use trails.
Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Place: Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham
First Floor Conference Room
1731 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
This free workshop includes lunch. Seating is limited. Registration will be handled on a first come first served basis. Anyone interested in attending should contact Cissy Edwards, mpo@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8402 and advise her of any special needs. For general questions regarding the workshop contact Tom Maxwell, tmaxwell@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8445.
Representatives from the Governor's Office on Disability (GOOD) and the Federal Highway Administration (Alabama Division Office) will conduct a full day interactive workshop providing an overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and associated policies, rules and design guidelines for street crossings, sidewalks and shared use trails.
Date: Thursday, July 22, 2010
Time: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Place: Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham
First Floor Conference Room
1731 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
This free workshop includes lunch. Seating is limited. Registration will be handled on a first come first served basis. Anyone interested in attending should contact Cissy Edwards, mpo@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8402 and advise her of any special needs. For general questions regarding the workshop contact Tom Maxwell, tmaxwell@rpcgb.org or 205-264-8445.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) received the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Award for Federal Preserve America Accomplishment for its support of the Preserve America Program and its leadership in historic preservation efforts across the nation.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration were recognized for having demonstrated exemplary support for the goals and objectives of the Preserve America program. Among their many accomplishments: a Preserve America Web site that features success stories in 13 States, including Transportation Enhancement funding projects in seven Preserve America Communities; its use of the FHWA "Successes in Stewardship" newsletter in spring 2009 to highlight an additional extended case study of funding infrastructure improvements in downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana, a Preserve America Community; its long-term program support for heritage tourism development through the National Scenic Byways Program, including the 31 All-American Roads and the 121 National Scenic Byways in 46 States; and long-standing membership on the Preserve America Steering Committee.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of the Secretary of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration were recognized for having demonstrated exemplary support for the goals and objectives of the Preserve America program. Among their many accomplishments: a Preserve America Web site that features success stories in 13 States, including Transportation Enhancement funding projects in seven Preserve America Communities; its use of the FHWA "Successes in Stewardship" newsletter in spring 2009 to highlight an additional extended case study of funding infrastructure improvements in downtown Natchitoches, Louisiana, a Preserve America Community; its long-term program support for heritage tourism development through the National Scenic Byways Program, including the 31 All-American Roads and the 121 National Scenic Byways in 46 States; and long-standing membership on the Preserve America Steering Committee.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) posted a new Accessibility Resource Library. This page supports an effort to organize and make available all information that relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other accessibility resources that may affect research, planning, design, construction, or operations of any FHWA project.
Each office in the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for maintaining accessibility information as it relates to its own program. This new website supports the effort to organize and make available all information that relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other accessibility resources that may affect research, planning, design, construction, or operations of any Federal Highway Administration project.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/accessibility/
Each office in the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for maintaining accessibility information as it relates to its own program. This new website supports the effort to organize and make available all information that relates to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other accessibility resources that may affect research, planning, design, construction, or operations of any Federal Highway Administration project.
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/accessibility/
On April 28, 2009, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation conducted a Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security Subcommittee hearing on The Future of National Surface Transportation Policy. Majority statements were delivered by Senator John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), and Minority statements were delivered by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). Panelists included The Honorable Ray LaHood, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, as well as Anne P. Canby, President, Surface Transportation Policy Partnership, James Corless, Campaign Director, Transportation for America, Steve Heminger, Executive Director, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and Ned S. Holmes, Texas Transportation Commissioner and Chairman, Transportation Transformation Group.
To view the archived webcast of the hearing or to read the transcripts, visit the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation website.
To view the archived webcast of the hearing or to read the transcripts, visit the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation website.
Missouri's plan to spend $750 million in federal money on highways and nothing on mass transit in St. Louis doesn't square with President-elect Barack Obama's vision for a revolutionary re-engineering of the nation's infrastructure.
Utah would pour 87 percent of the funds it may receive in a new economic stimulus bill into new road capacity. Arizona would spend $869 million of its $1.2 billion wish list on highways.
While many states are keeping their project lists secret, plans that have surfaced show why environmentalists and some development experts say much of the stimulus spending may promote urban sprawl while scrimping on more green-friendly rail and mass transit.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aV2SxqQRuOFw
Utah would pour 87 percent of the funds it may receive in a new economic stimulus bill into new road capacity. Arizona would spend $869 million of its $1.2 billion wish list on highways.
While many states are keeping their project lists secret, plans that have surfaced show why environmentalists and some development experts say much of the stimulus spending may promote urban sprawl while scrimping on more green-friendly rail and mass transit.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aV2SxqQRuOFw
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), the Alabama Department of Transportation and the Alabama State Department of Education continue to provide funds to schools through the Safe Routes to School initiative. The purpose of this program is to enable and encourage students in grades K-8, including those with disabilities, to walk and bike to school and to make these alternatives safer and more appealing. The projects will improve roadway safety, reduce traffic fuel consumption and reduce air pollution in the vicinity of schools. The SRTS program is divided into two funding categories, infrastructure and non infrastructure. The guidelines and application instructions are available on the ALDOT website. Go to www.dot.state.al.us and click on Safe Routes to School. The application deadline is November 30, 2008.
he Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the sixth National Scenic Byways Program nomination cycle. All nomination applications must be completed online at http://www.bywaysonline.org/nominations/application, and submitted both electronically and as a signed hard copy. The hard copy of the completed nomination and completion of the online nomination are due from the State, Indian tribe, or Federal land management agencies to the FHWA Division Offices by December 17, 2008.
Documents to help potential nominees prepare their nomination are available at http://www.bywaysonline.org/nominations. They include the Designation Readiness Worksheet, Image Style Guide, Nominations Guide, and other important documents, such as FHWA's Interim Policy for the National Scenic Byways Program. If you have questions about designation, please check the "Frequently Asked Questions about Designations" article at http://www.bywaysonline.org/nominations/articles/74891. If you cannot find your answer, send an email to cindi.ptak@dot.gov. These FAQs will be updated regularly.
Documents to help potential nominees prepare their nomination are available at http://www.bywaysonline.org/nominations. They include the Designation Readiness Worksheet, Image Style Guide, Nominations Guide, and other important documents, such as FHWA's Interim Policy for the National Scenic Byways Program. If you have questions about designation, please check the "Frequently Asked Questions about Designations" article at http://www.bywaysonline.org/nominations/articles/74891. If you cannot find your answer, send an email to cindi.ptak@dot.gov. These FAQs will be updated regularly.
Across the United States, heritage tourism is on the rise. To promote Alabama’s unique blend of Civil Rights history and cultural traditions, Auburn University and the Alabama Department of Tourism are teaming up to develop a Civil Rights Heritage Trail in Alabama. The project aims to provide tourists with a rich travel experience by allowing access to Alabama’s Civil Rights sites through easy-to-follow routes and the inclusion of unique local restaurants, lodging and cultural amenities. The guide will go beyond well-known Civil Rights museums to include many additional sites significant in the struggle for racial equality. Auburn University staff will work closely with the Alabama Department of Tourism to build on the Department’s current Civil Rights publication.
Continue reading New Civil Rights Heritage Trail for Alabama’s Black Belt.
Though the following information pertains specifically to America's Byways (www.byways.org), the research and ideas are extremely useful to all small towns and communities. In particular, download and review the trends and expectations documents located www.bywaysresourcecenter.org/topics/visitor-experience/marketing/tools/1131/
America’s Byways Resource Center, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration National Scenic Byways Program, executed three phases of research in association with the development of a Public Awareness Strategy for America’s Byways®. The 2006/2007 Longwoods Travel USA® Personal Vehicular Travel Analysis and Custom Image & Positioning Research studies identified America’s Byways three priority segments as Touring, Special Event and Outdoor travelers. This research can be found on the America’s Byways Resource Center website at http://www.bywaysresourcecenter.org/topics/visitor-experience/marketing/tools/1131/
In order to attract these travelers, we are looking ahead and would like input from you on story and theme ideas for the byways.org homepage. The Feature Stories are short stories that include a few byways with a particular theme, see http://www.byways.org/stories/ . The Activity Stories have more detail and include a minimum of 10 stories, see http://www.byways.org/explore/activities/
Here is a list of the upcoming proposed schedule for both Feature and Activity stories. The topic ideas/themes used should be fun, interesting, and engaging. New and different ideas/themes are always welcome!
An example: New York America’s Byways are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War.
DEVELOPING AND PROPOSED THEMED STORY IDEAS:
New Feature – Shipwrecks
New Activity - Gardens
New Feature – Small towns & Villages (could be unique museums or walking tours or festivals)
New Activity – Road biking
America’s Byways Resource Center, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration National Scenic Byways Program, executed three phases of research in association with the development of a Public Awareness Strategy for America’s Byways®. The 2006/2007 Longwoods Travel USA® Personal Vehicular Travel Analysis and Custom Image & Positioning Research studies identified America’s Byways three priority segments as Touring, Special Event and Outdoor travelers. This research can be found on the America’s Byways Resource Center website at http://www.bywaysresourcecenter.org/topics/visitor-experience/marketing/tools/1131/
In order to attract these travelers, we are looking ahead and would like input from you on story and theme ideas for the byways.org homepage. The Feature Stories are short stories that include a few byways with a particular theme, see http://www.byways.org/stories/ . The Activity Stories have more detail and include a minimum of 10 stories, see http://www.byways.org/explore/activities/
Here is a list of the upcoming proposed schedule for both Feature and Activity stories. The topic ideas/themes used should be fun, interesting, and engaging. New and different ideas/themes are always welcome!
An example: New York America’s Byways are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War.
DEVELOPING AND PROPOSED THEMED STORY IDEAS:
New Feature – Shipwrecks
New Activity - Gardens
New Feature – Small towns & Villages (could be unique museums or walking tours or festivals)
New Activity – Road biking
This targeted, national effort will help raise awareness of the risks drivers face on America’s rural roads. The initiative will support States in improving rural road safety by highlighting available tools and programs, and it will provide assistance and encourage demonstrations of innovative, quick and effective leveraging of existing resources.
This new endeavor will be multi-modal and comprehensive in addressing five key goals: safer drivers, better roads, smarter roads, better trained emergency responders, and improved outreach and partnerships.
Raising awareness is key to the success of the Rural Safety Initiative. For more information, please visit www.dot.gov/affairs/ruralsafety.
This new endeavor will be multi-modal and comprehensive in addressing five key goals: safer drivers, better roads, smarter roads, better trained emergency responders, and improved outreach and partnerships.
Raising awareness is key to the success of the Rural Safety Initiative. For more information, please visit www.dot.gov/affairs/ruralsafety.
The Appalachian Regional Commission's (www.ARC.gov) driving maps, in partnership with National Geographic, are out. Maps can be found on http://www.visitappalachia.com and will be included in the April issue of National Geographic magazine reaching more than 865,000 subscribers nationwide. Click on the "Route Guide" graphic in the middle of the screen for one way to browse the featured routes.
FHWA has reworked its Transportation Enhancement (TE) Activities website to make it easier to use. Some of the changes include having the TE Guidance page open to a page with an introduction to the guidance and supplemental guidance documents; and moving navigation bars to the top, allowing documents to be printed on fewer pages. The updated website can be found at: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/te/.
The public is invited to review and discuss maps and charts of the potential projects and solutions to issues and needs that were identified at the Winter meetings. The Alabama Department of Transportation will review the projects included in the FY2008-2011 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The following are meeting dates: Walker County, April 8, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., CHS Building, Jasper, Alabama
If you have any questions, please contact Cissy Edwards Crowe, (205) 264-8402, email cedwards@rpcgb.org
If you have any questions, please contact Cissy Edwards Crowe, (205) 264-8402, email cedwards@rpcgb.org
A Notice of Proposed Amendments (NPA) to the MUTCD was published in the Federal Register on January 2, 2008 for public review and comments. This NPA contains comprehensive revisions that are proposed for incorporation into the next edition of the MUTCD. A 7-month period is being provided for comments to the docket, which will close on July 31, 2008. Of particular interest may be proposed changes in Chapter 2D regarding wayfinding signs, Chapter 2G regarding specific service signs, and Chapter 2J regarding recreational and cultural area interest signs. Further information can be found at: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/proposed_amend/index.htm.
